We exercise aerobically to strengthen our heart and increase lung function. Don’t exercise for a few days and we’re out of breath faster.

Practice not only makes perfect…

The same holds true for other skills. If you played piano when you were younger, you know what I’m talking about! Don’t practice and you won’t even remember where the keys are.

We practice our balance to stay upright and prevent future falls. Falls, especially as we get older, can be dangerous, if not tragic. From slipping and falling on the ice to rolling an ankle on broken pavement, improved balance can help.

In dog training it’s the same. Lots of skills are involved in training a dog to compete in obedience or agility. Don’t practice one of them and the behavior deteriorates. My agility instructor likens this theory to circus performers spinning plates on a long dowel. He’d get a row of plates spinning, and when the last one started the first one would start to slow down and topple. The performer would have to run back to the first one and start it spinning again.

Calm your mind

Being able to calm your mind is another skill that requires practice. There are so many distractions in the world that it’s difficult, if not impossible, to focus on a single thing. From our own devices – phones, tablets, laptops, TVs – to the world around us, there’s a lot to take in.

I find it imperative to be able to narrow my focus. I get more done when I’m not trying to do several things at once. We all have heard people extol the virtue of multi-tasking, but the only things that benefit from multi-tasking are computers.

We’re much more productive when we can focus on a single task and then move on to the next one.

Guided meditations can help calm the mind

But many find it hard to calm the mind at first. It just takes practice. And sometimes a little help. Check out my free short, guided meditations. Sometimes just a couple of minutes of a guided meditation helps clear your mind. And there are also lots of free smartphone meditation apps. (I find these to be a little long, but everyone’s different.)

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Cute workout tees, tanks, water bottles and more!

I love the French Bulldog images on these items! Of course, the fact that they were created based on my sister’s Teddy helps! You’ll be taken to the Cafe Press shop where you can see all the “Tedmonstah” designs. Cafe Press tees are excellent quality – nice and heavy, and they wash really well. And that’s an important consideration for workout clothes!

Pilates and Yoga combined

PiYo is one of my favorite workout programs. It’s Pilates combined with Yoga. All fluid movement that builds strength and flexibility and balance. Combined with Shakeology – dense, plant-based super-nutrition that can be a meal replacement. I drink Shakeology every day and I do PiYo all the time. The Challenge Pack includes the complete PiYo series and a month of Shakeology at a great price. It’ll get you started on your path to health, balance and fitness!